Samaraweera Added To Sri Lanka Test Squad

Experienced batsman Thilan Samaraweera has been given an unexpected recall to Sri Lanka's Test squad to tour South Africa after the selectors extended the touring party to 17 players.

Samaraweera, 35, was dropped following a poor series against Australia but returns to bolster a batting line-up that failed to perform consistently against Pakistan during a recent 1-0 series defeat in the United Arab Emirates.

The original 16-man squad included uncapped opener Dimuth Karunaratne as well as young batsmen Lahiru Thirimanne and Dinesh Chandimal.

Sri Lanka play three Tests, beginning on 15th December at Centurion Park, and five One-Day Internationals in South Africa.

Samaraweera has played 68 Tests, scoring 4,683 runs at 52.61 with 12 centuries and 27 half-centuries since making his debut in 2001.